The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-03
How the Democrats Worked Upon Robinson and
Influenced Him to Change-His Treachery
Denounced by Knights of Labor.
The Probability of an Investigation of
the Rumors Concerning Him.
The Days Disgrace Reaches Fitting Climax
in an UprOarious Spree in the Wine
Room Of Hotel.
CHANGING THE VOTE.


Robinson Deserts the Independents and
Votes for Turpie for Senator.
That there was something of moment behind
the repeated consultations of politicians yester-
day every one VINO has been more or less thrown
into the senatorial struggle knew. AS the noon
hour approached, it became certainty, from
these outward evidences of change in the ordi-
nary daily course, that break was to occur
This feeling has been growing under series OF
rumors that gradually took a definite form. It
has always been understood that the Democrats
mad no chance for showing of seventy six votes,
except by Robinson going over to their side
Very little confidence was at any time felt that
he would remain steadfast to the independent
compact He was subjected to continuous
pressure from mis- old party workers, who
brought personal influences wherever they could
be had to bear upon him. For while Robinson
enjoyed the distinction of being the center figure
of the Assembly. AS long as he continued in
this condition of vanity there was no immediate
danger of his throwing his colleagues in the in
dependent compact overheard. But they
did not altogether trust him or
his sincerity. They had constant
apprehension that some day when they were off
their guard he would 60 over to the enemy. He
had thought of the advantage AS it required
only his vote to give Turpie seeming majority,
he could cast it any time he saw fit His name
on the cali of the roll came after the other three
Therefore, Robinson, concluded that neither
Gates. Glover nor Mackey could disturb the ar
rangement without giving him an opportunity
to secure the so-called claim of Turpie to an
election. It was this condition that gave the
contest much OF its interest, but after the first
few days and the continuous showing of the
four votes it lessened materially. until Tuesday,
when, helped by the rumors of the night before,
the anticipation of Robinson changing his vote
revived. 1t did not occur then, but the incidents
of the afternoon and evening were of such con-
frmatory force that it was yesterday looked for
with certainty.
The galleries were filled and the lotbies packed
when the joint convention began it's proceedings,
with unusual incident except the apparent
irritahilty on the part of Green Smith. Fifty
Senators answered to their Names and unex-
pectedly there was not missing from the
House. A pair of ten days duration had been
formed between Representatives Dickinson and
Connolly, as the former was required at home on
account Of serious illness in his family Tuesday
evening Connolly, Democrat telegraphed to
Dickinson that he would no longer abide by the
agreement, and that he expected to vote for Tur-
pie yesterday. This brought Mr.. Dickinson
back to the city on a midnight train. night be-
fore last and his presence in the joint CONVEX
ton was an uncomfortable surprise to the Dem
ocrats who still counting on his absence, ex-
pected to give Turpie an alleged majority, even
T.I: eos1o
fulfil the agreement that had, during the morn
ing, been perfected, presumably through ex- Rep
resentative Williams, of Vincennes No ballot
has been taken in the past ten days when
Williams was not found sitting with Robinson,
at the latter's desk. They were inseparable, and
| the many consultations held by them with other
| Democrats in the cloak-room and other parts of
the Capitol Building. during the sessions, always
told of ostensible pressure being made on
| Robinson to change his vote. Williams was on
| guard, as usual, with the air Of a man who had
accomplished his purpose, calmly waiting the
formal record to make the agreement his friend
Robinson consented to complete
| For days past there has been enough to war
rant the superstition that negotiations were car
ried on as to what the Democrats would do for
4
them to control patronage if the former should
vote for Turpie. 1t is presumed that the Demo
Gratis assented to Robinsons promise to vote for
their candidate when there should be full
house. This was the eve of consummation
some days ago; in fact, as far back as the first
| days of the joint convention. It was then that
| the Democrats were anxious to have more than
one ballot day. They considered Robinson
likely to drop from his pedestal of independence
at any moment, but repeated disappointments
made them weary, until. within this week, when
| the negotiations were renewed with greater
ardor leading again to the old promise to wait
until all pairs were off. 1t may have been this
| condition that made the Democrats force Con-
nelly to withdraw his pair with Dickinson. If
| the latter remained away they would get an
| advantage. If he came post-haste to fulfill his
obligations to party the conditions would any
| how be perfect for Robinson's fulfillment To
| those who knew these things every vote the
independents cast was eagerly looked for
| on the call Of the roll of the House. With the
} many names intervening between Gates. Glover